2001 Pontiac Firebird Reviews - Page 2 of 7

2001 Pontiac Firebird Ram Air Trans Am 5.7L LS1 from North America

Summary:

Faults:

The reason I am posting this is to educate people on GM's customer service practices.

I bought this car off August of '01, right off the show roof floor. I seldom drove it over the past 7 years as it now has 3,000 miles on it.

Last year I noticed what looked like a paint defect in the roof panel behind the T-Tops. I found this strange, since I had never seen it before, but since it's plastic, I knew it wouldn't be rust.

I had the car outside in the sun this spring, and the minor defect grew into large blisters. Some of which had ruptured and began oozing some sort of solvent.

After doing some research on the Internet, I found that many many other F-Bodies between 1998-2002 had this same problem. I also learned that it is a problem that GM is well aware of, and was replacing roof panels at their discretion. Some were 50% cost to the customers, some were free. This repair requires replacement of the roof panel, which for a t-top car is in excess of $800.

I figured with the extremely low mileage of my car, that GM would surely do SOMETHING for me. NOPE! I got the call today from the bum of a service manager. The GM "district manager" said that I had too old of a vehicle. I would have to pay for the repair 100%.

This is one of three GM vehicles I have purchased over the past 7 years, and after many battles over defects in my '07 Silverado, I'm done with GM.

General Comments:

I always wonder what this car would be like if I had driven it daily over the past 7 years. With a engine so noisy, I wonder if it would last 100,000 miles.

I enjoy driving it though. Tons of power, good handling, good fuel economy (24 m.p.g. on the freeway, with 325 horse power) but in typical GM fashion, the horrible quality and uncooperative service overshadows the good.

11th Sep 2009, 15:46

I agree, I have a 2001 Ws6 Trans Am and they will not fix it, so I am done with GM... why buy a car that was built poorly and the company does not want to fix their poor workmanship, so screw em... Honda S2000 here I come...

2001 Pontiac Firebird WS6 Trans Am LS1 5.7 from North America

Summary:

If you want a car that can easily be made to run a Corvette to death... get one of these!

Faults:

Rear differential has been replaced 3 times. Once because of a bad bearing, a second because of poor performance in fixing the first issue by the dealer and the third by myself to make sure the problem was taken care of correctly.

Cracks in running light covers allows moisture to settle in lens. Bulb is located in the bottom of the running light. Guess what happens when water meets electricity and a hot bulb. Replaced both lens and had to rewire the pigtails.

Front disc brake rotors have been replaced twice by the dealer and a third time by myself. The aftermarket parts seem to be holding up much better than the factory pieces.

AC compressor failed internally and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

For all the bad points, repairs andthe issues with factory parts not being up to the task... all in all this has been a pretty good car. It has great power and torque and the factory did underestimate that with the ring and pinion and spider gear quality. If you had issues with the rear end, you like myself were probably driving the car to it's potential.

Consider that it is faster than a 1970 454 Chevelle straight off the showroom... bet it leaves you stranded a lot less than that beloved muscle car... trust me..I owned one.

This is a fantastic car, very fast, handles well, awesome stereo, good seats and easy to see instrumentation. My car now has 110,000 miles with no rattles. I have read poor reviews on this car as far as build quality... I believe it is all how it has been taken care of. Mine has been a daily diver since day one.